The 20 gauge produces negligibly less power than the 12 gauge, but it is disadvantaged in another area. recoil can be greatly reduced by a number of shell types; one example would be mini-shells. That’s true, good point Daniel. This is where we can talk about the many benefits of a silencer. Our experts are ready to help you by phone or email, Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm (CT). For home defense, #1 buck has been shown to be the most effective with sufficient penetration and a bigger wound channel than larger buck loads will create. 12 Gauge vs 20 Gauge. With shotshells, the smaller the number, the bigger the diameter (or gauge) of the shotgun’s bore. In a contest between analogous 12 Gauge and 20 Gauge shells, the 12 Gauge’s spread is always denser. Yet the 12 Gauge has a trick up its sleeve. If you want to smack a whitetail deer so hard it practically rolls into the back of your pickup, then 12 Gauge has plenty of upside to consider. From here, we’ll get into the finer details of all the differences. Normally, I’m a big fan of this kind of thing. Much better for a home defense gun is a 20 gauge. Because of this, there may or may not be some crossover. As a result, a 12 gauge is typically better equipped to take larger game. But this is not always the case – 12 Gauge shotshells do tend to offer a faster average muzzle velocity. Wouldn’t 8t? #1 buck cannot be packed correctly for 20 gauge so its only available for 12 gauge, but is hard to find. The good news: you might need to buy more than one shotgun. Subsonic Ammo – A Buyer’s Guide to the Quiet Side. When you refer to a rifle’s or pistol’s caliber, you’re defining the internal diameter of its barrel. Except unlike buying a car, the difference in price between a 12 and 20 gauge shot won’t be by a lot. Today 20-gauge ammo outsells the 16, 28, and .410 put together. You do sacrifice some things for that power 12 gauge shotguns have more recoil than 20 gauge and the firearm itself is more of a burden to carry. As a result, you’ll probably want to use a 20 gauge for this kind of hunt. – slightly on the pricey side of the spectrum, but perhaps the best self-defense 20-gauge round on the market. payload being used in the 20 gauge, and an 1-1/8 oz load being used in the 12 gauge. Here are the different gauges available on the market, in order of largest to the smallest caliber. Shotgun gauges follow the same logic. On average, a 12 gauge will be cheaper, but there may be special 12 gauge shells that cost more. However, there are plenty of people who play the game with a 20 gauge shotgun, too. What about gas discharge type,will help kickback would make combarlng the 12 ga. to nongas operated 20ga. Do not try to mix the 12 gauge shells with a 20 gauge gun, or vice versa, because it could damage the weapon as a result. This is an application where “one size fits all” most definitely does not apply. Then we’ll explore their applications, like sporting clays, waterfowl hunting, and home defense. That’s a tough question to answer. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Again, you can use a 20 gauge shotgun here, but you’re putting yourself at needless a disadvantage. Brandon’s drive for independent success and passion for firearms lead him to start a part time business helping people get their Federal Firearms Licenses. More is more, in this AmmoForSale.com offers the most popular calibers of ammunition from 9mm to .223 as well as brands that you trust – like Federal and Winchester – because you deserve the best! News. If the 12 Gauge’s greater size always meant it delivered a faster muzzle velocity, it would be easy to declare its range superior as well. Whether you want to fire two shots in rapid succession while target shooting or dump a whole magazine into an advancing threat, a 20 Gauge will make the endeavor easier than a 12 Gauge could have. In a 12 gauge shell, it will take 12 spherical balls (or shot or pellets or projectiles) of equal size and weight, to equal one pound of shot. Is a 12 gauge better than a 20 gauge, or is a 20 gauge better than a 12 gauge? The younger generation and new hunters seems to take to the 20 gauge because its a lighter gun. This is the same as it is with handgun or rifle hunting. Aside from the size difference, there are a lot of other differences between 12 and 20 gauge shotgun ammo. Think of an SUV as a 20 gauge, while a compact car is a 12 gauge. The shells primarily differ in terms of their projectile weights – not their velocities – but that alone accounts for a staggering difference in how much energy either one can put out. A 12 Gauge shotshell has a significantly larger capacity than a 20 Gauge. – a rare size to find anymore but a 16 is right in the middle of the road for size. We’ve narrowed it down to the two most popular gauges for shotguns: 12 gauge and 20 gauge. – the smallest shell on the market (that isn’t custom) is used for small game hunting and some self-defense. – this size is on the small end of the spectrum and primarily used by upland bird hunters due to its mobility and weight. Thus a 12 Gauge shotgun would fit a 1/12 pound lead ball in its barrel; a 20 Gauge, a 1/20 pound ball. 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive Ste. Take a look at this chart where we compare very similar shells by Winchester and Federal. We’ll go over the differences in their ammo and performance. This is, by far, the most complex topic on the list when trying to determine what gauge shotgun to use. Shotgun Weight: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge The internal diameter of a 20-gauge barrel is 0.114 inch smaller than a 12 gauge, which corresponds to … While you certainly can hunt these smaller birds with a 12 gauge, you’re really bringing more gun than you need. In a scenario like this, you might get better performance from a 20 gauge shotgun. The 12 gauge has a diameter of 18.5 mm, or .729 inches. In this scenario, a 12 gauge shotgun will have better overall performance than a 20 gauge. I think nowadays they can put almost as much powder in a 20 Gauge shell as in a 12 Gauge. 12 gauge shotguns are most popular for home defense. 300 Richmond, VA 23255 United States. In the example of the Ithaca Deerslayer III with the fluted, heavy wall barrel, it is 8.1 pounds with scope in 20 gauge compared to 9.5 pounds (again including scope) in 12 gauge. In a 20 gauge, it will take 20 balls of equal size and weight to equal one pound of shot. Often, it’s only a few cents per round. I would like to spend less then 500 (buying in Canada so they are a bit more). Average 12 gauge target loads contain 29% more pellets than 20 gauge loads. A 16 Gauge shotgun’s barrel would conveniently hold a one ounce lead ball. When picking a home defense shotgun, a 20-gauge might be a better choice than a 12-gauge. A 12 gauge shotgun fires a bigger cartridge than a 20 gauge shotgun. The results are surprising. Gun DB Levels Compared. You can choose from a range of different barrel lengths, gauges, and chokes. I am shopping around for shotguns and can't decide on what gauage and length to purchase. Shotgun is called "12-gauge" because a lead sphere that just fits the inside diameter of the barrel weighs 1⁄12 of a pound. In practice we see either shell capable of reaching the same distances as effectively as the other. All in the quest to answer the question: is one really better than the other? Even comparing standard 12 gauge hunting loads against standard 20 gauge hunting loads, lighter felt recoil in the 20 is still only a maybe. A typical 12 Gauge trapshooting shell holds 1 1/8 ounces of shot whereas a 20 Gauge holds 7/8 ounces. You’re increasing the chances of destroying the meat you’re trying to harvest. Here is a nice 12 Gauge shell with ⅞ oz of shot and a 1,200 fps muzzle velocity. A 12 gauge shotgun load is heavier and delivers more power than 20 gauge ammo does. If a 12 gauge for home defense works for you, great; if a 20 gauge for home defense works for you, that’s great, too. While there’s no way of knowing what prices will be in 3, 6, or 12 months, there’s still one constant. To start the discussion let’s make sure you know what a shotgun gauge is. This extra 1/4 ounce of shot promotes a relatively denser spread at any range. 4 buckshot load holding 27 pellets, launched at 1,100 to 1,200 fps. Suppressors help reduce both noise and felt recoil. A 20 gauge is always going to shoot lighter, smaller shells than a 12 gauge. Therefore, most 20 gauge shotguns are lighter, smaller, and easier to use than a 12 gauge. It can lead to shooting fewer rounds in a given range trip. #2 buck is almost as good (larger wound channel but slightly less penetration) and while #2 seems hard to find for 12 gauge, its readily available for 20 gauge. This quickly grew into a full-time endeavor that soon branched out into the difficult world of silencer sales. Because a 12 gauge shotgun shell has more volume than a 20 gauge shotgun shell, it fits more powder and bigger projectiles. Either will let you hunt deer and birds, play trap and skeet, and make a home invader wish he picked a different home. The 20-gauge shotgun features a smaller bore diameter of .615 inches. Finally, the 20 Gauge gets a leg up in this face-off! When it comes to protecting yourself and your loved ones, the gun is of little consequence if you cannot use it properly to defend your household. If you’ve ever bought fish hooks, you know that larger numbers actually correspond to smaller hooks. You do sacrifice some things for that power 12 gauge shotguns have more recoil than 20 gauge and the firearm itself is more of a burden to carry. Hunters and homeowners frequently put it to use just as effectively. Here are some of our top picks for each gauge: – cheap but reliable range and target rounds, – great home defense choice for those wanting less recoil (younger/smaller). This one’s a bit of a no-brainer. Considered a jack-of-all-trades type of gun. Choose appropriately and responsibly. At the end of the day, the goal is an ethical and humane hunt. This means there’s good news and bad news. The type of game you’re hunting will help determine the size shotgun you’ll want to use. You want to be absolutely sure that you can handle the gun safely and effectively. Different types of shotgun ammunition vary widely, as one shell may fire a single slug or over 2,000 shot pellets. In the case of an Ithaca DeerSlayer II, the 20 gauge weighs 6.8 pounds catalog weight vs. 7.6 pounds for the 12 gauge. In truth, there are finally enough lightweight 12s on the market that most of us don’t really need a 20-gauge. There’s less recoil, but reduced lethality, in a 20 gauge. One of the best parts about a shotgun is its versatility. But at its core, the winner of the 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge debate depends heavily on which you prefer: greater power, or more manageable recoil. If you would rather have more power, a denser spread, and a greater selection of ammo to choose from, you’ll be better served by the 12 Gauge. All this variety can be overwhelming. A lot of it really comes down to personal preference and situation. The 28 gauge vs. 20-gauge recoil debate prevails since, aside from the 12 gauge, these are the more popular shotgun choices for hunters and sports shooters. NRA Gun Of The Week. Given equal patterning efficiency, the higher pellet count in a 12 gauge should keep a denser pattern at longer ranges. The recoil of a 12 gauge shotgun is manageable by most, though perhaps not particularly fun to shoot for everybody. This video is my 2 cents on the debate of which is better for home defense..... the 20 gauge or the 12 gauge. – right behind the 12-gauge shotgun in popularity, the 20 gauge is very popular due to its manageable size compared to its effectiveness. Give us a call or email and we can help you pick the right one. As we’ve already mentioned, you need to know what you’ll be using the shotgun for to determine which gauge is best for you. It can even put off shooting until you’re “up to” dealing with the recoil. 20 Gauge The 20 gauge is becoming more popular of the two, due to its versatility. This means you might be in the market for “his and hers” home defense shotguns. The 20-gauge's lighter weight makes it a popular choice among hunters who cover a lot of ground, and its recoil is minimal to nonexistent. But cents turn into dollars, and dollars add up, so it’s worth pointing out. A 12 gauge shell won’t fit in a 20 gauge chamber because it’s too big. Some examples include the XCaliber SS1C (in both 12 and 20 gauge) or the SilencerCo Salvo 12 (in 12 gauge only). This means you will get a harder-hitting shot at a greater effective distance with a 12 gauge than you will with a 20 gauge. You wouldn’t hunt elk with .22LR and you wouldn’t hunt squirrels with .45-70. 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. | Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Sat. Similarly, 20-gauge shells are typically less expensive than 12-gauge shells. Average 12 gauge slugs are 33% heavier than 20 gauges slugs at the same speed An interesting side note: 20 gauge shells are MANDATED to be yellow, because you can potentially slip them into a 12 gauge chamber, forget that you did, load up a 12 behind it, and then blow up your gun and potentially injure … – quality target round that won’t break the bank. Why A 20-Gauge For Home Defense Might Be A Better Than 12. I’d think the 20 gauge would be better due to the smaller grain of slug – Less mass and less drag should equal better accuracy I’d think. Today, FFL123 and Silencer Central are industry leaders in both FFL licensing assistance and silencer sales. – the best choice for large game hunting, not ideal for home defense. New For 2021. This all has to do with weight. But his isn’t to suggest that the 20 Gauge is a weakling. Available to help: Mon-Thur. As such, the answer to 12 gauge or 20 gauge for home defense might actually be “both.”. 20 Gauge Shotgun Shell: 20 Gauge is a special gauge to many gunners. It might sound strange, given the latter being the default shotgun for all purposes. Thus, a 10-gauge shotgun has a larger-diameter barrel than a 12-gauge shotgun, which has a larger-diameter barrel than a 20-gauge shotgun, and so forth. By sheer virtue of its lighter projectile(s), the smaller shell exerts significantly less recoil back against its shooter. Please enable JavaScript in your browser. Receive email updates regarding upcoming sales, trade-shows, BANISH Suppressors and industry news. A 9mm pistol intuitively has a bore diameter of 9mm. Our convenient site navigation and “blitzkrieg shipping” ensure your ammo shopping experience is a great one. Hear me out: A 6’ 1” man weighing 225 pounds will likely be able to handle the recoil and overall weight of a 12 gauge shotgun better than a 5’ 4” woman weighing 115 pounds. Because it often holds a heavier slug or column of shot, however, the 12 Gauge shotshell’s larger charge of powder often produces a comparable muzzle velocity to the smaller 20 Gauge. The 20-gauge also has plenty of stopping power. 12ga. For the uninitiated, you might assume that 20 gauge is the bigger of the two, but it’s not. A 12 gauge shotgun load is heavier and delivers more power than 20 gauge ammo does. The bad news: you might need to buy more than one shotgun. However, packing a punch at a long-range might not be why you’re using the shotgun. Some prefer a smaller gauge because it adds an extra layer of challenge to the game. If a 410 Bore were actually a 410 Gauge, then its bore would share the approximate diameter of a .22 caliber pistol’s. We’ve decided to focus on one aspect of shotgun choice: the gauge, or shell size. Pheasants and other upland game birds aren’t exactly big creatures. While the 12 Gauge’s superior power may make it a more commanding solution for deer hunting, the 20 Gauge still outclasses the 223 Rem in terms of muzzle energy. As you can see in the photo below comparing 12 gauge vs 20 gauge shells, 20 gauge shells are considerably smaller than 12 gauge shells. Each pellet is .24-caliber, weighing approximately 20 grains. The short answer is “yes” with an “if,” and the long answer is “no” with a “but.”. If this is confusing, think about car brands as an example. As a result, a 12 gauge is typically better equipped to take larger game. Whether you’re hunting, busting clays, or defending your home, those reductions can be very beneficial. The 12-gauge is simply too large for the 20-gauge to stand a chance in this area, as the 12-gauge delivers more speed and power to the target. But a trim, light 20 gauge might get you on target faster and more precisely. For this reason, they are also the most likely to get mixed up. At close range, 20 gauge buckshot is typically just as effective as 12 gauge, but it can have a lot less recoil. A 20-amp circuit requires wire that’s 12-gauge or larger. Whichever you choose, they’ll both get the job done quite well. Twelve gauge is about the thickness of a nickel, and 14-gauge is about the thickness of a dime. Its more pain (recoil) without any real gain, IMHO. With muzzle energies that are literally double that of 20 Gauge, you can hunt anything in North America with a 12 Gauge shotgun slug. For example, the Federal Premium’s 2.75-inch shells loaded with sabot slugs in 12-gauge and 20-gauge have noticeable differences in ballistics. Whatever 20 Gauge allegedly lacks in power, 12 Gauge definitely has. Whether you decide to go with 12 or 20, or one (or more!) For the sake of discussion let’s say all the 12 Gauge shells compared earlier have 18 grains of powder and are being fired from a 110 ounce Winchester SXP; the 20 Gauge shells have 15 grains of powder and are being fired from a 104 ounce Winchester SXP. That’s the short answer and may be all you need. A shotgun’s gauge utilizes a far more archaic and inconvenient system. Home. This gives you 20% more pellets at only 10% less density at 50% of the recoil. This means you will get a harder-hitting shot at a greater effective distance with a 12 gauge than you will with a 20 gauge. You would expect a 12 Gauge shell which contains more lead, brass, plastic and propellant to cost more, but perhaps its greater popularity compensates for that disparity. 12 gauge vs 20 gauge. All these choices give the user the ability to use one shotgun for a wide variety of purposes: hunting, home defense, sporting, and more. of each, one thing is certain across the board: a suppressed shotgun is better than an unsuppressed shotgun. We’ll look at situations where 12 might be better than 20, or the other way around. It doesn't bruise your shoulder as bad since its a lighter gauge load. You might be using it in an instance where distance isn’t quite as important and stopping power is of less concern. Not super popular due to its size, but it is popular amongst waterfowl hunters. The 20 gauge with #13 shot throws out 10.30 caliber pellets versus a 12 gauge with 00 buckshot with 8 pellets of.33 caliber. An SUV will almost always be more expensive than a compact car, but a BMW car will be more expensive than a Kia SUV. The 20 gauge has a diameter of 15.6 mm, or .62 inches. With the recent surge in gun sales, ammo prices have risen sharply over the past year. Surprisingly enough, analogous 12 Gauge and 20 Gauge shotshells are comparably priced. Also a preferred shotgun for bird and sport shooters, it generally sells for less than a 12-gauge and is an adequate gun for the beginner. The main difference between it and the 12 gauge are gun size and weight, and pellet count. The first question you ought to ask yourself before buying a shotgun is which gauge you’d like it to be. 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge: Hunting, Home Defense, and More, Shotgun Ammo Types: Buckshot vs. Birdshot vs. Slug, How Loud is a Gunshot? If we were to fire it out of a 7 lb Winchester Model 101 Field, it would generate 13.9 ft lbs recoil energy. The 12 Gauge and the 20 Gauge are the most popular shotguns for good reason. Here’s where the 12 Gauge truly outclasses the 20 Gauge: Because the larger shell’s projectile(s) can be so much heavier, the 12 Gauge consistently packs a much heartier wallop than the 20 Gauge possibly could. The nation’s largest silencer dealer with 15+ years of experience and innovation, Silencer Central takes the confusion out of purchasing a silencer. We’ll take a look at cost, recoil, performance, and uses to help you determine which one might better suit your needs. 12 and 20 gauge are by far the most commonly used shotgun gauges. And that’s why knowing your gauges and what they mean matters. It’s a very effective close-range load. Turkeys aren’t moving at speeds that dove and ducks are, so you can get away with a heavier shot.. Several people will use 12 gauge loads for big game hunting as well. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (CT). Once you decide on a gun, let us help you get squared away with a suppressor for it. Less recoil makes the 20 Gauge better in two important ways. That said, you’re going to have access to more options when it comes to 12 Gauge ammo. – perhaps the most popular shotgun on the market. When you say a shotgun has an X gauge, you are saying its barrel would perfectly fit a lead ball weighing 1/X pounds. You might only own one shotgun and it’s a 12 gauge. When it comes to the cost of 12 versus 20 gauge ammo, 12 gauge shotgun shells will usually be cheaper. Not only do suppressors make your shotgun quieter, but they also help mitigate recoil. Because a 12 gauge shotgun shell has more volume than a 20 gauge shotgun shell, it fits more powder and bigger projectiles. Unfortunately, there aren’t a whole lot of options on the market for shotgun suppressors. 38 Special vs 9mm – What Does Each Caliber Offer? Regardless of gauge, recoil can still be problematic. On the other hand, birds like geese are much bigger than woodcock, and you’re probably going to want a bit more power behind your shot. While the amount of kick you may actually perceive is subjective, the 20 Gauge’s objectively weaker recoil energy is bound to put less stress on your shoulder. Price is heavily dependent on where you buy, how you buy, and (obviously) what you buy, but in general you will find that 12-gauge ammunition is usually more Squirrel Hunting Tips – 9 Tactics for Success. Many people prefer the 20-gauge when target shooting because of the recoil advantage. If you’re hunting or defending your castle, the 12 Gauge almost invariably delivers superior stopping power. Generally speaking, 12 gauge shotguns are the most popular for use in sporting clays. Note that the 410 Bore shotgun does not follow “gauge rules.” Its bore diameter is literally .410”, which would be equivalent to 67.5 Gauge. Along with new finishes and packages for the 12-gauge model, Mossberg has developed an all-new 20-gauge version of 590 Shockwave. Performance is subjective and it has a lot of variables, which leads us to our next topic: applications. Extremely versatile and functional for all endeavors ranging from hunting to target shooting. Hun, sharptail, pheasant mixed bag with a 20 gauge. The 12-gauge load most often recommended for home defense is the standard 2 ¾-inch No. Makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? Muzzle energy is simply a factor of muzzle velocity and projectile weight. In this scenario, a 12 gauge shotgun will have better overall performance than a 20 gauge. Or, maybe you prefer the softer recoil of a 20 gauge. If we applied caliber conventions to a shotgun, then a 12 Gauge would be .729 caliber and a 20 Gauge would be .615. How much recoil energy a shotshell generates is a matter of four factors: shot/slug weight, muzzle velocity, propellant weight, and shotgun weight. Other factors like gun weight, pads, recoil reduction systems, gun fit, 3-inch shells vs 2¾-inch shells, action of the gun, and more contribute in a big way. They can be stored easier and are lighter to hold and maneuver with short notice. This makes the 12 gauge bigger than the 20 gauge. If you would prefer a shotgun with less recoil for better comfort, easier follow-up shots, or to train a younger shooter, then the 20 Gauge is your shell. The shells used are small enough that some revolvers on the market can shoot them. To put it simply, as more shot exits the muzzle, more shot is going to make its way to the target. Less punch in the shoulder makes for a more pleasant shooting experience no matter the gauge – period! What Are Tracer Rounds and Are They Legal? I prefer the larger shot size (4 shot) and heavier loads when hunting gobblers. – the largest and heaviest of the shotgun types. First, there’s the obvious comfort factor. For home defense, the 12 gauge has proven itself in the law enforcement and military field. Prominently featuring in sporting clays or trap shooting competitions, both gauges are efficient small game and bird hunters. So you will experience more recoil out of the 12 than the 20. Not to mention shot sizes and deciding between high and low brass. Less recoil usually leads to better shot placement, and for a lot of people, it also means they are more likely to practice. Obviously, the 12-gauge is the default for shotguns and for good reasons, but the 20-gauge might actually be the better choice for home defense. A tremendous all-around gun for a variety of uses. Second, lesser recoil helps a shooter line up their follow-up shots more quickly. Plus, with the reduced energy of a 20 gauge versus a 12 gauge, you run a higher risk of wounding the animal instead of harvesting it. We manage your ATF paperwork and FREE NFA Gun Trust, provide an interest-free layaway option and ship directly to your door once approved. Also, look at the breaker for the circuit in question to see if it’s a 15-amp or a 20-amp breaker. 12 gauge shotguns are also the choice of the U.S. Armed Forces and the vast majority of law enforcement. Because the individual pieces contained within a shotshell are bigger in a 12 gauge than in a 20 gauge, 12 is bigger than 20.